Thomas Aquinas · 150 of 385

Chapter LXVII. Against those who maintain that the Potential Intellect is the Phantasy

CHAPTER LXVII—Against those who maintain that the Potential Intellect is the Phantasy

PHANTASY is found in other animals besides man, the proof of which is that, as objects of sense recede from sense, these animals still shun or pursue them. But intellect is not in them, as no work of intelligence appears in their conduct.

2. Phantasy is only of things corporeal and singular; but intellect, of things universal and incorporeal.

4. Intelligence is not the actualisation of any bodily organ. But phantasy has a fixed bodily organ.

Hence it is said: Who teacheth us above the beasts of the earth, and above the fowls of the air instructeth us (Job xxxv, 11): whereby we are given to understand that there is in man a certain cognitive power, above the sense and fancy that are in other animals.